SB 2227 Summary

• Establishes the offense of unlawful shipment of e-liquids and electronic smoking devices, with Class C felony charges for shipments valued at $10,000 or more and misdemeanor charges for lower values.

• Includes e-liquid and electronic smoking devices within the definition of "tobacco products" under Hawaii tax law, subjecting them to excise taxes and requiring retailers to obtain tobacco permits and wholesalers to obtain licenses.

• Increases the license fee for wholesalers or dealers of cigarettes and tobacco products from $2.50 to $250, and increases the retail tobacco permit fee from $20 to $50.

• Allocates revenues from excise taxes on electronic smoking devices to the Hawaii tobacco prevention and control trust fund for youth health education, prevention, and nicotine cessation programs addressing the risks of electronic smoking devices.

• Repeals existing statutory provisions related to electronic smoking devices, including delivery sale regulations for e-cigarettes.